Nothing short of apology will be acceptable, says Taksal

CHANDIGARH: Nothing short of an apology before five "Singh Sahibs" (head clerics) at the Akal Takhat by the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, will assuage the hurt religious sentiments of Sikhs. This was stated by the chief of the religious seminary Damdami Taksal, Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma, here on Saturday.

If the apology was not forthcoming, the Punjab and Haryana Governments and the Centre must register a case and initiate legal action against the Dera chief for hurting the religious sentiments of the entire community and instigating disturbances, Baba Dhuma told reporters.

Responding to questions, he rejected the appeals by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other political leaders. He said it was not an occasion to create confusion through appeals.

"The authorities must take necessary decisions that are reflected in concrete action to pacify the Sikh community before things get out of control."

Arguing that the matter was neither political nor one of law and order situation, Baba Dhumasaid the sanctity of the Gurus' preachings, the identity of the Sikh community and the "Shakti" (power) of the "holy Amrit" stood challenged by the Dera Sacha Sauda.

Baba Dhuma said that at the expiry of the May 18 ultimatum served by the Singh Sahib's hukumnama from Talwandi Sabo, the five Singh Sahibs would meet at the Akal Takhat in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on Sunday afternoon to announce the next course of action.

Police chief N.P.S. Aulakh said elaborate security arrangements were in place to deal with any exigency. He denied that preventive detentions were being made.